MCFR Starts Peer Support and Stress Management Program for First Responders

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue established a Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management Program for all local fire departments throughout the Florida Keys, the dispatch center, and during an EOC activation.
 
Peer support can help firefighters reduce stress and anxiety and mitigate post-traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts that first responders can sometimes experience after responding to traumatic calls or other incidents.
 
The program can help local first responders take better care of themselves and resume their mission to serve others after a traumatic experience.
 
"We are proud to work with industry leaders in strengthening our firefighters' wellness, safety, and health," said Deputy Fire Chief R.L. Colina. "Our team has worked incredibly hard to ensure we are prepared and trained to meet the needs of our first responders in the Florida Keys."
 
This MCFR team consists of:

• FF/PM Candice Juiz - Team Lead/Therapy Canine Program Manager (Dusty the K9)
• FF/PM Will Wright - Peer Fitness Counselor
• Captain Richard Vandervoort - Chaplin
• Peer Members - Lt. Jesse Hubman, Lt. Tony Perez, FF/PM Kati Foster, and Lt. Micheal Jachelski.